“God is in Control”

 

BIBLE READING: Zechariah 7-10

      

“Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”                                                                                           -Zechariah 10:1

            In our reading Zechariah gives us that reminder that is found throughout the Bible “that God is in control!” Why does God continually remind us about this? Because we get so caught up with what the world is showing us that we forget or stop believing in this wonderful truth! The Israelites were no different, they were like “sheep wandering around without a shepherd” in that they often forgot, listened to false teachings, or refused to believe that their hope for the future is completely dependent on God, and the same applies to us today, even though there are so many people and idols in this world that “speak deceit” and show what is “false” (verse 10) drawing our focus, trust, and hope, away from our Lord and Savior, who is in control despite the chaos that seems to be all around us. God’s Word is very clear that this is going to be worse in the last days where there will be many people drawing us away from the truth, promise, hope and salvation that in and through our Lord Jesus Christ (Read 1 John 2:18-25). Zechariah says that God’s anger burns against these shepherds who neglect to lead their people to the truth about God.

            In verse 4 Zechariah talks about a “cornerstone” (the most important stone needed to build on!), the “tent peg” (the main support to keep the tent from blowing away!), the “battle bow” (a weapon for protection!), here he is prophesying about the coming of Jesus the Christ. Zechariah says that it’s through Jesus that God will have compassion on His people who will be restored back to a place of prominence and prosperity. Zechariah continues that there will be a time when “Assyria’s pride will be brought down and Egypt’s scepter will pass away”; God’s enemies will ultimately be destroyed. In and through Jesus there will be a time when God’s enemies, those who don’t believe, those who speak falsely, and with deceit, leading people from Jesus and His ways, saying “God is not in control”, will be dealt with. But for the people of God, who remain true to Jesus and His ways, even in the face of tribulations, lies, deceit, and the lure of idols, there is this wonderful promise from God: “I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely.”                                                                                               -Selected

 

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